MLMs are built on the belief that if it works for me, it will work for you, despite any differences in resources, backgrounds, skill sets, or networks.

This is the falsehood of white supremacy: that you should always be striving for the next level, the next promotion, more money, more recognition, to be the best at all costs. And if you reach your potential, it’s because of what the MLM taught you, but if you don’t, it’s because you didn’t try hard enough.

This myth of meritocracy denies the many other factors that go into “success” as we tend to frame it. The idealization of hard work and the “anyone can do this” mentality don’t translate when the playing field isn’t level.

Since the birth of my first son, I have been wondering where that idyllic village people keep talking about is, or if it even exists. Is there a phone number to call or something? Plenty of people offer to “help” in their own way, but the odds are stacked against moms. We take time off from our jobs while our partners go back to work, maybe have a

The smallest tasks we took for granted before, even buying groceries, seem daunting with a new squealing ball of flesh in tow.

You conclude that you have a secret, that they need to know the secret, and that they will be better off if they join you so they can be in on it.

we are all exposed to and influenced by cults.

MLMs believe everyone is truly equal, in the most abusive way possible. At the same time, this so-called equality only holds true to a certain point. Some people will never succeed as much as others, and MLMs already know this. This is exactly why the business model is tiered—it’s by design.

The “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” ideology relies on consumerism and a focus on self-improvement and mindset culture. It conveniently ignores socioeconomic status. It ignores race, ethnicity, religion, culture, gender, sexuality, and marginalized identities. It ignores those who live below the poverty line, who don’t have access to cash or